BPP Reveals 545-MW Capacity Growth From 10 Power Plants In 1 Year

Banpu Power Public Company Limited (BPP), a leading power generating company with a balanced portfolio from both thermal power and renewable power businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, revealed the progress of ongoing investments and commercial operation achievement of power plants, from 2021 until the present, with the increasing quality megawatts in strategic countries within Banpu Ecosystem to a total of 545 MW on an equity basis. In addition, BPP had recently undergone an assessment on sustainability performance conducted by S&P Global and achieved a very high rating while also being included in the Sustainability Yearbook 2022, all of which reflect its commitment to conduct the business following ESG principles.

Mr. Kirana Limpaphayom, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu Power Public Company Limited, said, “BPP is currently listed on the SET100 Index and the SETHD Index, showing that our 3-year historical dividends payout has been at a good rating as a stock with good fundamentals, liquidity, being able to deliver good returns to shareholders and investors. During the past year, BPP has committed to thriving on its power generation business under the Greener & Smarter strategy, expanding its power generation capacity by investing in new operating assets to promptly generate revenue and achieving commercial operation date of power plants projects in the portfolio as planned. Altogether, they total 10 power plants, representing a total of 545 quality megawatts in the strategic countries in which Banpu group operates, namely Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and the United States.”

He added, “Meanwhile, the Company has been rated on sustainability performances by the leading global rating organization “S&P Global” at a Very High level, comparable to members of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) which are well-recognized by international investors. BPP is also featured in the Sustainability Yearbook 2022. These recognitions thus reaffirm the Company’s readiness and all stakeholders’ confidence in our continuous and sustainable growth to achieve the goals set, which is the total power generation capacity of 5,300 MW by 2025.”

During the past year, BPP’s additional power generation capacity on an equity basis from 10 operational power plants with a total of 545 MW, comprising 2 HELE power plants, namely Nakoso IGCC power plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, with the capacity of 73 MW, which deploys the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology, and Temple I CCGT power plant in Texas, the U.S., with the capacity of 384 MW. The latter is a large power plant that uses Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) technology. It is also located in the dynamic market and in the area of the fast-growing economic centers with a rapid growth rate of population.

Furthermore, there are 8 more renewable power plants in the portfolio, namely Beryl and Manildra solar power plants in New South Wales, Australia, with a total capacity of 16.6 MW, which help lay the foundation of strategic investments in renewable energy in Australia. It was followed by gradual commercial operations of 3 solar farms in Japan, including Kesennuma, Nihonmatsu, and Shirakawa, with a total capacity of 21 MW, holding long-term contracts of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, which can provide good returns for the Company. Moreover, the Company invested in 3 solar power plants in Vietnam, a country of high demands for electricity with clear government policies in support of renewable energy. The three are Ha Tinh, with a capacity of 25 MW, followed by Chu Ngoc and Nhon Hai, with a total capacity of 25 MW.

With the commitment to conducting business with regard for the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles to deliver sustainable and quality power generation & distribution, in 2021, BPP was recognized by renowned awards and underwent assessments conducted by leading organizations, both domestically and internationally, as follows:

• Receiving the Rising Star Sustainability Awards– Sustainability Excellence with market capitalization of THB 30,000-100,000 million, in SET Awards 2021 held by the Stock Exchange of Thailand and Money and Banking Magazine
• Being selected as one of the “Sustainable Stocks” of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), or Thailand Sustainable Investment (THSI), for the 4^th consecutive year
• Being ranked one of 168 listed companies with an Excellent Corporate Governance Scoring, according to the Corporate Governance Report of Thai Listed Companies 2021 provided by the Thai Institute of Directors Association (IOD)
• Being affirmed a company rating of “A+/Stable” by TRIS Rating, a leading credit rating agency in Thailand.

“BPP shall continue considering investment opportunities and build on business value upon Banpu ecosystem in 7 countries where the Company already has its power generation bases with an expectation to see a strong growth towards the 5,300 MW target. In this regard, the Company will periodically report the progress.” Mr. Kirana concluded.